Cricket.

Free Lance, Volume IX, Issue 452, 27 February 1909, Page 18

Cricket.

DURING the progress of the Hawke's Bay-Wellington representative match, played on Friday, Saturday, and Monday last, the weather was beautiful aM the time. On the Basin Reserve was a good place to be during the three days, and the visitors have returned to .Napier perfectly satisfied that it is possible to get fine weather in other places besides the city with the Marine Parade. The local players were congratulating the visitors and themselves on the weather experienced, but the men from Napier expressed surprise that so much stress should be laid, on the fact that the weather was so good, "for," as one of them said to me, "this is the weather we usually have in Napier." • • • The match ended in an easy win for the Wellington team, the actual runs in their favour at the finish being 186, although in their second innings they had "declared" with five wickets down. • • • Chairman Luckie, in. discussing the matter of paying the Wellington players, said that it would be discourteous to the men from Hawke's Bay to play anything but the strongest team procurable against them, therefore certain players would have to be recompensed, as in times past, for their services. This statement was made before the Same, and mow that it is over I venture •the remark that a much weaker team than the one that took the field for Wellington would! have given the visitors a good contest, and the match therefore would hare been a much more interesting one than it was. For there is no denying the fact that in the game under review the visitors did not at any stage look like a winning side, mainly because their bowling was on xhe weak side m comparison with their opponents. In justice to them, however, it is only fair to say that the bowlers were badly handled during Wellington's first innings, especially Nelson, a young player, and a rare brier, who was kept going for two hours the first time he was put on without being rested. As a result, on Saturday morning he was stiff and sore round about the shoulders and back, and could not do justice to himself or the side during the remaining stages of the match. • • • It is true that the wicket, as it was different from the fast ones they are used to in Napier, may have affected the batting of the Hawke's Bay team, but it is true that, barring a couple of instances, the men from the squatters' province did mot show the form that was expected of them, and the majority of them batted like tyros. Probably, many were affected with nerves, the absence of Macassey, Lusk, and Gleeson seemingly taking the stiffening out of the side. Whatever the cause, as a representative provincial team Hawke's Bay fell 1 short of the standard considerably. Barring a couple of hours on Monrday, when. Hawke and Redgrave were defying the local bowlers, the Wellington men dominated the position, both with the bat and the bail, and their ultimate victory was the result mainly of their superiority. Ergo, a much weaker Wellington team would have given the visitors all they wanted, and the Cricket Association could have saved the money they paid certain players in assisting to win the game. • • • There was nothing at all to enthuse about over the play on Friday, the batsmen mainly scratching for rttns, dashing play being conspicuous by its absence. The wicket was in good order, although the grass was longer than it should have been to give the bowleTs an even chance with the batsmen. It was an easy one, and more runs should have been, made during the four hoUTs' play than were recorded by the scorer*. The Wellington team had first turn at the wickets, and 204 runs were the result of their combined efforts — Coboroft 46, J. P. Bl&cklbck 24, "Badgers H9 (not out), Bruce 21, Brice 20, Midlene 17, Naughton 16, Connolly 15, Mahony 9, Pajne 2, Laws 0 extras 12. The runs were scored off the Hawke's Bay bowlers as follows: — Nelson, 72 runs, fonr wickets; Penton, 63 runs,

tour wickets ; Redgrave, 49 111ns, two wickets ; OBrien, 8 runs, no wickets. The Hawke's Bay team gathered together 21 runs for the loss of one wicket by the tune for drawing stumps — fa o'clock — had come round. Owing to the umpires being late in leaching the ground, the 12 o'clock start on. Satuiday morning was delayed for twenty minutes. The wicket was faster than on the opening day, but the visiting batsmen, were about as enterprising as tthe local men had been in their innings, and the cricket was therefore very wearying to watch. The innings closed with the total at only 112, the individual contributions bemg: — Ashcroft. 23 A Hawke 22, OBrien, 19, Betts 14, Bailey 11, Leevers 8, Nelson 5 (not out), Fulton 3, Fenton, 1, Hindtoarsh 1, extras 5. The Wellington bowlers — and, strange to say, they were suburban men who did piaotically all the trund^hng — had good figuies, their respective tallies being : — Connolly, 45 runs, five wickets ; Brice, 43 runs, four wickets ; Rodgers, 17 runs, one wicket ; Laws, 2 runs, no wickets. A change came o'er the scene whea the Wellington men. had their second turn at the batting crease. Naughton and Cobcroft opened, but the latter was dismissed early by a good ball from Fenton. Blacklock joined Naughton, and started by driving his first ball to the boundary. Despite many changes in the bowling, both batsmen, went at it hammer and tongs, Blacklock especially giving a slashing display of aggressive cricket. He hit the ball to and over the boundary with a frequency that pleased the spectators, and caused them to enthuse a great deal. The score was 199 before Blacklock was dismissed, his contribution being 124. Rodgexs had had a long wait for his turn, and the tired bowlers had <no respite, for Naughtan, kept up the pasting, the Waiwetu man, however, only occasionally sending a ball to the boundary. The Wellington Club's left-hander had a bit of bad luck in being dismissed with his total within three of the coveted century, his opponents even offering him their sympathy. Mahony and Rodgers played out time, the score then being 291 runs for three wickets —Blacklock 124. Naughton 97, Rodgers 33 (not out), Mahony 26 (not out), extras 10. • • • Contrary to expectations the Wellington, men resumed batting at 32 o.'clock on Monday, and continued until ten minutes to 1, at which stage the Wellington captain declared his innings closedi, with the total at 346 for five wickets. Rodgers increased his score to 62, Mahony retired with his total at 33, and Payne (18 not out) and Brice 1 (not out) also helped the score along. At two o'clock on, Monday the Hawke's Bay team set out on their task of making 439 runs to win, the game — an impossible task — or of keeping their wickets intact until <3 o'clock. They started well, too, Betts and Hawke defying the bowlers until the score had reached 32, when Betts lost his wicket mainly because he was too slow mi running through for a third run, Mahony taking a return, from Connolly in, good style. Redgiave joined Hawke, and the Wellington bowling got tied in a knot for some considerable time. As a matter of fact, the score had mounted up to 141 before Hawke was dismissed. OBrien aJid Baily also made a good stand after Redgrave had followed Hawke back to the pavilion, adding 60 runs for the fourth wicket, the score then standing at 208. But the end soon came after that — before 5 o'clock, as a matter of fact — the innings realising but 252 runs altogether. The individual contributions to this total were : Hawke 84, Redgrave 44, Bailey 33, OBrien 28, Hmdmarsh 17, Fulton 8, Betts 8, Leeveis 6, Ashcroft 1, Nelson 0 (not out) extras 23. The Wellington bowlers' figures were — Brice, 59 runs, four wickets; Cobcroft, 86 runs, two wickets ; Laws, 43 runs, one wicket : Connolly 22 runs, no wickets ; Rodgers, 19 runs, no wickets. • * » The outstanding feature of the match was the brilliant display of aggressive batting given by Pearson Bdacklock on the Saturday afternoon. That drive of his was in evidence right through his innings, and the ball was despatched by it to and over the boundary in a manner that raised the spectators to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, while the leg-hit and the cut were also not neglected. Pearson, has given, many examples of fast scoring in, matches played on the Basim Reserve in the past, but he has done nothing to in any way approach his latest innings. To prove this it is only necessary to state that he scored his 124 runs in an hour and twenty-five minutes, the partnership between Naughton and Blacldock pro-

ducing 19b mns in that time. As 00 runs an hour is a general aveiage in Wellington cricket, it will be seen, that it was something in the nature of a whirlwind the Hawke's Bay players struck on this occasion. Sometimes the ball is hit over the ropes in representative matches in Wellington, but no player, not even Warwick Aimsbrong or Clement Hill, the great Australian Eleven players, in the matches in which they took part here, has propelled the ball five times in one innings over the ropes or fence which constitute the boundary for these matches. And, although "Slackiock made many lofty strokes during his stay at the wickets, there was only one which went anywhere near a fieldsman.. Tf the latter had been quick on his feet he might have got to the ball, but he was anchored for a time, and when he got to where the ball dropped it was making tracks for the boundary. Pearson Blacldock is a batsman whom the spectators delight to see going, as he is always afteir runs, and those at the Basin Reserve last Saturday had pleasure served up to them all the way. One could enthuse to further orders, but I will sum up in one sentence by saying that it was a grand innings by a fine cricketer. Although Don Naughton was overshadowed by Blacklock during their partnership together, the merit of the Wellington Club man's batting must not be forgotten. It is true that occasionally he scratched a little, and felt for the ball at other times, but it is also true that his drives, leg hits, and square cuts were made as they should be made, leaving the bat with a click every time, and skimming along the turf. One time I was prepared to declare Ernest Beechey to be the best left-handed batsman in "Wellington, but if Naughton reproduces his form of the match I am now writing about in ordinary club games, I may be inclined to change my oginion. • • • The man whom I considered to be really on his trial in this match was Jack Rodgers, the Waiwetu player, and he came through the ordeal with colours flying. There can be no doubt that for his club he is asked to bowl in season and out of season, as the saying goes, and when his turn comes round to bat his arms are tired with his exertions in. the field. Therefore, the fact that he has made many runs with the bat proves that the ability to use the wooden implement is his. It seems hardly right to call Rodgers by the every-day name of Jack, for he is such a serious gentleman.. With him everything is done according to method, and with due observance of the ethics of the game. His batting, therefore, was pleasing to wa-tdh, as the ball was generally placed) where it should have been, allowing for its pitch and direction. Rodgers is a first-class bat, and he is a good bowler, too, although the latter fact is not very apparent when it is remembered that he only bowled half-a-dozen overs dur ing the progress of the game.

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Tom Coboroft captained the side, and in the first innings gave a very good display indeed in gathering together the highest score of the day. He came down on the ball' with a good punch every time, and it made a lotot pace from the bat. In the second innings lie was dismissed with a "Bosie" ball from Fenton- that never rose an inch after it pitched. It was just as well that the Wellington team were not asked a serious question on this occasion, fou their bowling was not engineered at all well by Cobcroft, who was captaining them. Fm instance, Rodgers was put in. the elevpn for his bowling, yet he was never kept on long enough for him to get a length and to find out whether there were any tricks in the wicket. Cobcroft put himself on three times during Hawke's Bay second innings, and 86 runs were knocked off the 98 balls he delivered. I could extend these instances, but the conclusion, is that a man who considers himself a first-class bowler should neyer captain a cricket team. Jack Mahony kept wickets in good style, but was not as happy as usual with the bat. He seemed to me to be too anxious to make runs. Fred Laws was dismissed in his only innings with the best ball delivered by the visitors; Fred MidAane is a long way from the player he usesdi to be, playing late to balls that in times past he would have clipped to the boundary ; and Alex. Bruce was going very well when he tried to glance a straight legbreak, and stopped the ball with his leg in front of the stumps. Stan Brice bowled some really good balls during the game, and the most of the time was asking serious questions of the opposing batsmen. His aggregate of eight wickets for 102 mine is proof 'xxsitive. With the bat he did fairly well, but he was dismissed by a ball' which, if it hadi received its deserts, would have landed somewhere near the top of the pavilion. Phil Connolly bowled well during the Hawke's Bay team's first innings, especially before lunch on. Saturday. The catch with which he secured the last wicket and the baJi was an extra good one. In, his only turn at the batting crease he hit many times and often. Eustace Payne was the eleventh-hour selection, being put in the team to fill up a gap. He appeared very nervous, and did not do full justice to his powers with the bat. In the field he brought off a brilliant catch. • * * Among the visitors, George Hawke stood out head and shoulders above his brethren. I mean in, a cricket sense, for George is of the short, sturdy stamp. By the way, he is a brother of Fred, of that ilk, well-known in the past in football circles in Wellington. Out of the 364 runs scored by the visitors Hawke was responsible for 106 of them, and that in itself is sufficient advertisement of the value he was to the side. On the leg-side and to the on Hawke is very powerful, while the drive is made in good style. To anything coming down on the off, however, Hawke's Bay's highest scorer was always a little bit late, and m consequence made many swinging hits that missed the ball altogether. • • • William lledgxave, the old North Sydney boy, wno has lepresented Wellington during his stay in New Zealand, and played much cricket mi these parts, was the next highest scorer to Hawke on the visitors' side. In both innings, however, he got out with strokes that were more worthy of a schoolboy than a player of his experience. His second turn at the batting-arease was punctuated with many strokes tihat revealed the Redgrave we used to know in. Wellington. Bert Bailey is on the young side, and when, a boy lie had the benefit of Albert Trott's coaching the two years the ex-Australian spent in Hawke's Bay. Bailey was one of Txott's pet pupils, the coach expressing the opinion that in his day and generation, he would figure in the best cricket in the place lie ihappenedi to be at the time. Bailey may fulfil Ttrott's prophecies, for there is no question but that he is a dashing bat, a keen field, and, judging by the two overs he bowled, could have been given a longer tunn. at the bowling crease with benefit to his side. Withthe bat, however, he appears to be a bundle of nerves, and is too restless altogether to achieve distinction at tlhe present time. As he grows older and settles down, a bit moire may be heard from "the best bat in the Dominion!" as one of the Hawke's Bay team described Bailey. • • • John O'Brien— don't call him Jack, because he has a brother of that name ! ia a fine big specimen of a man, and made his share of the rums that came from the bat. Jaok Betts is said to have been a member of the Herefordshire County

Eleven before lie came to this part of His Majesty's dominions. He wields a good defensive bat, but did not show a deal of eagerness to trouble the scorers and their pencils. He did not seem in a hurry when, running between the wickets, and m the second in Jiangs paid the penalty for his dilatoriaiess in being run out. Arthur Fenton is the coach of the Hawke's Bay cricketers, and is a leal trier all the time. It was exceeding bad luck for him to break the little finger on his left hand practically at the end of Wellington's second innings, as, apart altogether faxxm the accident, it prevented him showing his quality with the bat. He must have been eager for another strike, too, after his failure in the first innings. Fenton. mixes his bowlrng a lot, and had all the batsmen thinking except when Blacklock and Naughton took matters into their own hands. Percy Fulton makes many runs in Hawke's Bay cup cricket, but, although he showed a certain amount of ability, he did not look like making many runs during his occupancy of the batting-crease. In the second innings he threw his wicket away trying an impossible run. Peter Ashcroft is a good fellow, and a-s captain had the respect of his side. The only real mistake he made during the game was the way he bowled Nelson to a standstill on the first day. The latter is only a youth, and his captain should have remembered that there was a limit to his powers of endurance. A good captain makes the best (possible use of his bowlers, and I venture the statement that if Nelson had been spelled a couple of times during the period referred to it would have been better for the side, As a batsman, Ashcroft made his runs quickly, and with the gloves he did good work, showing much ability and eagerness behind the stumps. Jack Hindmarsh was the only visiting batsman who infused any dash into his batting in the first innings, and. altogether, he gave one the impression that with more experience on his shoulders he would be a very good man to have on the side. In the field, however, he should remember that two hands are always better than one to gather the ball in with. William Leevers was the weakest man in the combination, and could only have been an eleventh-hour choice. In the field he was slow to move, and as a batsman was a long way removed from representative form. Of course, he did his best probably, and no man can do more than that. Frank Nelson is an old St. Patrick's College boy, with a future before him as a bowler if his heart is not broken by being overworked. He delivers a fast medium-paced ball, which occasionally at the finish swings in- the air from the leg side right into the batsman. This is a ball which comes natural to him, and a bit of solid coaching should bring out all! its possibilities. The way in which he holds

ihis body when in the act of sending the ball away is very awkward, and it seems to me that when Nelson gets rid of a few of his failings he will be a topnotch bowler. But he must not be kept on bowling for two hours at a stretch without a spell — it's only men with stamina like Ernest Upham or Tom Hales had m their prime that could stand* such a gruelling as that. As a batsman, Nelson's style and execution are very crude. » • • The Wellington and the Hawke's Bay players individually and collectively complained about the amount of grass that was on the prepared wicket. As it kicked a lot on the concluding day of the match, especially at the southern end, one is inclined to wonder what the wicket would have been like if the grass had been shaved clean for the opening day. Evidently, Groundsman Twist knew what he was doing in giving the grass a chance to keep the wicket wearing away altogether. The present state of the Basin Reserve seems to indicate that it would improve it considerably if it were ploughed and top-dressed at the end of the present cricket season. • • • J P. "BQacklock on Saturday scored his first sixty runs in sixty-five mimutes, and the last sixty-four in twenty minutes. If you want to hear a good yarn, say to a Wellington representative cricketer • "I hear Tittefl Brune's got your bag." The Hawke's Bay players enioved the joke. The takings at the Basin Reserve last Saturday amounted to £33. If all those who were enjoying the game from outside the fence had contributed to the takings, the amount would have been eonsiderablv higher. • • • One remark' in a local paper causes me to ask a question. "Several of those who were in a position to see afterwards expressed the opinion, that the ball would not have hit the wicket." This remark was made in, reference to Hawke being given out lbw. The question I would like to ask is : How many people on or off the field 1 are really in a position to see whether a batsman has his leg in front of the wicket or not? lam mot making any comment on the decision, ill dispute, but the several spectators who expressed the remark I have quoted! must have spoken in sympathy witih the batsman, as they could not possibly have been in a position to comibradict successfully Mr. Bock's decision.